Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
4
My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds! It’s a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Easy recovery ride from the city out to the Forth Bridges and back trying to avoid the rain showers.
Sneak off from family time for a few short runs
This weekend incluses high mileage.
21km friday
25km sarurday
45km Sunday. Could not find any egg then stoppés in the shop toget a big easter egg.
20km Monday
Then 2 weeks easy
I am coming back from injury and finally got a green light clearance from my ortho. I have been easing back into it. This week, I’m adding a bit of speed.
my training plans are to ride my first century. To prepare for my MS 150 charity ride in may.
My training plans include an Easter egg hunt where I may need to get physical with pushy parents, run 3 miles on Sat, and climb the new mountain on Swift on Sunday.
100 – 110 miles cycling over the weekend with 1 interval training and 1 simulated hill climbing session during the week. 4-5 mile jog for cross training. Training for the MS 150 at the end of April. =)
Plans were to run off some candy. Today’s plan is to spend the day figuring out if the sore spot on my foot is tissue or a stress fracture….
No training; walking around Disneyland instead.
had a fun lazy weekend with my girlfriend … did a little indoor training and a casual bike ride
I took it easy this weekend and just enjoyed spending time with the family.
21 km workout
Long tempo run on Saturday and a rest/family day on Sunday!
Trying a session at Orange Theory Fitness on Saturday and running a 10K on Sunday (chocolate at the finish line!)
A session at the Gym, and a 5k outside!!!
More cooking and cleaning, less exercise.
I am running a 200 mi relay this coming weekend. This week I plan to run 1-2 days at around 6 miles each and then try to do at least 2 yoga workouts in preparation for the weekend. I am terrified, yet excited.
Spin workout then a short run!
I already rode Sat/Sun with 150km combined.
2.5 hour Zwift ride while it rained outside.
Our training this weekend was to complete the return drive from Pickens SC to Toronto. We spent a week cycling and hiking along the foothills of the Appalachians and completed three climbs totaling 2400 M.
Training for a 10k in 2 weeks. Trying for a new PR, so hold the chocolate eggs, please.
I rocked a 30 mile ride Saturday as my friend made me feel lazy while she rode 80.
Hurt my back, so no training for me this weekend
Running stadium & tiring to get 1000yrds on my swim under 30 min.
2 shorter static workouts and maybe a nice easy long run
running & swiming but not at the same time
I took the Easter weekend off to be with family and celebrate Him.
Squeezed in an hour Z2 run on Sunday, spent the rest of the weekend taking care of my son and wife who came down with the bug that’s going around.
I had a short indoor spin saturday followed by a 4 mile run, then Sunday I biked 20 miles and took a yoga class.
Zwift, lots of zwift mountain extension.
Going for a long run probably half marathon distance.
No training planned but running the Berlin half marathon and aiming to go under 1 h 30 min for the first time.
Going out for a nice and windy run
It was a hard day of candy eating and leaf racking! I did move the road bike from one side of the garage to the other.
Galveston 70.3 bike simulation on Saturday, 12 mile run Sunday. Two weeks until race day.
I plan to max out on some ham and side dishes and for a cool down some dessert, probably some cake
Long run followed by several reps of jelly bean eating.
Still recovering from torn adductor so 15 mins light jogging is the most I can do at present.
Get a ~19km (hilly) run in on Sat and hopefully some skiing on Sunday :-)
Workout plans consisted of eating my kid’s jelly beans and chocolate.
On vacation, so I got some good miles in on the bike. Unfortunately, there are quite a few gravel roads where I’m at in the country. Makes for some good adventure.
This Sunday I will be doing the South Beach Triathlon. It’s going to be hot and humid :-O
I plan to go for a 3 mile jog after the Easter festivities.
A nice long, slow-ish run – trying to rebuild my endurance after being sidelined with the flu.
Stretching and Core Saturday
Hill Climbing workout on Sunday
Threshold Training Monday
My race goals were to add to my carb reserves by eating recklessly. I love it when a plan comes together.
30km easy ride with Mum, Dad and Sis on Friday. Park run on Saturday. Phoenix+2 TrainerRoad session on Sunday followed by an easy run on Monday…all fuelled by plenty of chocolate!
35km on the trainer wishing for warm weather and finally going out for a first ride outside!
Weekend training plans were simple, just a 6k run. As I’m not eating easter eggs/chocolate, I think these count as a 10k run for total calorie burn. If Monday counts as Easter too, I’ll be heading out for a 10k today at lunch.
It’s time to get cranking on a full marathon training plan, and getting some swim time in for an Olympic. I’ll be starting a longer run this weekend (more than 5 miles), and booking some time at the indoor pool!
Run Forrest Run
Riding around a local island in between an afternoon BBQ, Or if the weather sucks, trying out the mountain route on Zwift!
just going to relax :)
40lb Stroller + 25lbs of baby and out for walks. Too hard to run with over half my body weight in stroller.
Final taper for the Freiburg marathon. 3 x 3-5mi easy efforts during the week and then leave it all on the road on Sunday morning!
Swim, bike and run for me…. except I have no data… my 920xt wont’ turn on.
Good news… the fine folks at Garmin are sending me a new one under a RMA.
I was able to squeeze in a short run before we hit the road on Friday and fit in another hour on Saturday morning. Successful first week back from an injury!
Active recovery weekend playing with the kids with a couple of 5k’s thrown in to keep mobile
Some strength training and candy eating.
Burpees and Thruster as part of the CrossFit Open then active recovery
Sat – 17 miles on the Virgiab Creeper trail with husband and kids for the first time.
Sun – 5 mile hike in TN to waterfalls with family and 2 dogs which included 32 creek crossings!
Mon – ahh, alone time running 10 miles.
Did my very first ride this spring!
I plan to have a couple of LONG brisk walks and enjoy the fresh air.
Did easy 7k run and easy 30k ride ;)
Ran like an old bunny for 30 minutes on Sunday.
I’ll be sleeping and taking a couple of walks (i’m also trying to enjoy my flu and some fever).
Ran my first mountain ultra marathon in a storm! Then pizza and Easter treats!
Well since I just saw this today and don’t want to miss out. This weekend was pretty simple did a split 10k. Two 5ks split up with a 1/2 mile walk. I know that very exciting but good stuff none the less.
Get a 10 miler in now that vacation is over
I am planning a long 30km. run
Just joined a new cycling club so the first official long ride of the season (~100km) will be this weekend. Looking forward to sunny skies and 15C+.
I will open my road cycling season on next weekend, at last the spring is here.
I will test my hydro costume and start swimming outise, in the lake
2E + 14M + 2E Fun run!
My plans were to get rid of my cold. No success.
Easter weekend was a normal training weekend for me: long run one day and weights at the gym on the other. But next weekend is kind of exciting. I’m taking a trip — to D.C.!!! — to run the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler with a dear old friend.
Saturday morning, my wife and I did a 10k training run for the upcoming Mountain Goat race.
Long ride with my mtb bike
Using my rest day (Saturday) for an all day conference on Jean-Michel Basquiat and doing laps of a local park on my single-speed to build leg strength on Sunday.
Will try to run my first 10k after training indoor during winter
My goal was very much acomplished. Running with my cousins in the mountain. e managed 8km under heavy fog!
Training plan for this weekend is a long run. Actually it will be a pre half marathon test. Will see if I have gained from last year. Formal half scheduled for April 24 with a full in mid May.
Plans fell through on a race, so I hopped on the bike (sorry!) for 90 minutes Saturday and followed it up with a 7 mile run on Sunday.
First official half marathon race on next weekend
Nothing special but as usual a 5K run :)
Cycling Saturday and threshold running on Sunday- Monday off!
Gym workout on Saturday and a 3.5 miles on Sunday. Sunday miles ended up at 2 because my daughter woke up and I got out of the house a lot later than expected.
Planning big group road bike ride on sunday
I am going for a 40 mile bike ride to train for my second century in the beginning of May.
I plan to see how far I can run while successfully singing in a foreign language in my head. At least, until I complete what my coach told us we were supposed to. :)
I’m running through the fields chasing bunnies.
There is a plan to play mini badminton tourney with my colleagues
I’m visiting family so will only have time for a few short morning runs.
My plan is to open cycling season
Ran a long run Sunday morning on the trails. Saturday was quieter. Thanks for the giveaway, Ray!!
Brick training in paradise.
29 km long run
I am planning 2 hours hike in local forest with my wife
Can`t wait to test my new trail shoes, going to run 20 kilometers